WASHINGTON, Jan. 7, 2014 – Farmers and ranchers who are interested in participating in the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) have another month to submit applications.

The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) extended the deadline for new enrollments in CSP through Feb. 7, 2014. Now in its fifth year, producers have already enrolled more than 59 million acres.

 
“Extending the enrollment deadline will make it possible for more farmers, ranchers and forest landowners to apply for this important Farm Bill conservation program,” NRCS Chief Jason Weller said. “Through their conservation actions, these good stewards are ensuring that their operations are more productive and sustainable over the long run and CSP can help them take their operations to the next level of natural resource management.”
 
The program emphasizes conservation performance — producers earn higher payments for higher performance. In CSP, producers install conservation enhancements to make positive changes in soil quality, soil erosion, water quality, water quantity, air quality, plant resources, animal resources and energy use.
 
A CSP self-screening checklist is available to help producers determine if the program is suitable for their operation. The checklist highlights basic information about CSP eligibility requirements, stewardship threshold requirements and payment types.
 

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